A charter flight is a flight which is not part of the scheduled agenda provided by airlines. When you charter a flight, you are renting the aircraft for your own use, and on your schedule. You can select important details like the flight time and destination. This is in contrast to commercial flights, where you purchase a seat on a pre-existing flight.
After your initial inquiry one of our charter experts will send you a selection of quotes for you to choose from. Each quote will have a clear breakdown of aircrafts and airports and reasons they have been selected for you. Should you wish to go ahead they will then book the aircraft and send you all the flight details including directions to the terminal and any other important information. They will be your first point of call for any further inquiries you may have up to the flight and, if possible, they will meet you at the terminal. From your initial quote you will be able to contact your account manager 24/7 (if on holiday you will be assigned another account manager to cover) so you can call from wherever, whenever you like.
Your dedicated Triumph Jets charter expert will advise you and provide you with a suitable range of aircraft based on your requirements, assisting you with your final decision. View our aircraft guide for further information.
Using a private jet charter is like having a private aviation assistant. They learn about your preferences, needs, and family, ensuring a bespoke flying experience. They’ll also track your flight and take care of the little details.
The short answer is no. Some people believe that the brokers will compete against each other, resulting in a lower price. This is incorrect; operators control the price of the trip, not brokers. Every broker who approaches an operator will receive the same price. Additionally, often times an operator will see that the trip is in demand and even increase the price.
Booking via a broker can be cost-effective and safer. If you book directly through an operator, you’ll pay retail pricing. You’ll also be charged markups on extras that are added by the operator, and they’ll only give you quotes on aircraft within their own fleet, which hampers your options.
Hourly charter rates vary from about $1,200 to $8,500 per flight hour, depending on the type of aircraft you require. Trip minimums are typically 2.0 flight hours/day.
Admittedly, private charter flights are much more expensive than commercial flights. To estimate the cost of flying privately in the US, use the following formula: (Cost of a first-class commercial ticket x 4) x number of seats in the aircraft. For example, a cheap first-class ticket is about $500. Multiply this by four to get $2,000. A light jet seats six. Multiply $2,000 by six to get $12,000. Always remember that you pay the same for a private jet regardless of how many people are flying.
The private aviation industry has the same safety standards as commercial aviation. It is under regulation and supervision of the FAA, the same federal agency that regulates commercial aviation. Charter jets are specifically regulated by FAA Part 135. And, because private aircraft are largely insulated from conflicts and terrorism, jet air charters are generally regarded as a safer alternative to commercial travel.
Many private jets do have Wi-Fi, and it’s increasingly available free of charge on U.S. domestic flights. On international flights, prices range from $3.00-$8.50 USD per megabyte used. This means that opening up social media sites that are rich in images and videos could quickly cost you $20 – and downloading a feature-length movie could cost thousands!
You will be told how much the hold can take on your chosen aircraft and can upgrade if you feel more space is needed. This will generally be far more than that of a commercial airline. You may also need to upgrade if carrying things like golf clubs and skis. If travelling with a gun, you will need to provide a license and the gun and ammunition must be kept separate. It is then at the captain’s discretion whether it can be on board.
A fixed-base operator (FBO) is the private terminal passengers use before and after a flight. It’s regularly equipped with a lounge, cafeteria, restrooms, and meeting rooms. Passengers usually board their plane 10 minutes after arrival, making this one of the best perks of flying private compared to commercial air travel.
There are flights that become available after repositioning, when clients only ask for a one-way ticket, thus flying empty towards the base. This leg is offered at a discounted price because operators will try to maximize a flight that’s going to happen anyway, empty or full of passengers.
The main problem with empty legs is that they offer no flexibility. An empty leg is a particular aircraft flying at a specific time and date. If that doesn’t suit your needs, you can’t use it. Other disadvantages are restrictive departure times, price, stability, and cancellation terms.
That depends on your creativity. From tailoring your menu to meeting the crew and asking for last minute changes in the flight plan (even in mid-air), how you live your private jet experience is completely up to you.
Sure, they can. Your dog or cat can travel right beside you. Although some unwritten rules apply in most operators, such as using a body harness for larger pets or a carrier for the smaller ones, in both cases attached to a seat belt during take-offs and landings.
Other than the standard snacks and drinks, you can order local cuisine options for your catering on board. In short, anything that doesn’t need to be cooked can be ordered; hot food must be precooked then warmed on board.
The average fuel stop takes 45–60 minutes. To speed up fuel stops, the operator or pilots may call ahead so a fuel truck is waiting for the aircraft on arrival. For smaller jets, a fuel stop can take as little as 30 minutes.
Generally speaking, you should give as much notice as possible when booking a private flight. This will give you more availability which means better value and lower-priced aircraft. However, 75% of privately chartered flights are booked within two weeks of departure, which. It can mean clients only have a handful of options.
Private jet clients can often have a limo drive them right up to the private jet, or even drive their own car to the plane. That said, different airports have different policies and some may not offer ramp access.
Private jets should be refurbished every six years on average. For the best flying experience, you’ll want one that’s been refurbished within the past two years. Even if an owner takes very good care of their jet it will still suffer general wear and tear over the years, from worn-down carpeting down the center aisle to chafing of the leather seats from constant contact with people and luggage.
Aircraft age is not a safety factor. However, if the aircraft is older and hasn’t been refurbished properly, it may cause flyers some inconvenience such as overheating, faulty air conditioning, or faulty plumbing in the lavatory.
To know how many golf bags you can carry on an aircraft, you need to consider two things: aircraft size, and whether the golf bag is hard or soft. Hard cases take up a lot of space, so you won’t fit as many on board whereas soft cases are packed more tightly.
Using private terminals means that you are able to check-in much closer to take-off than you could on a scheduled service flight. Sometimes you can arrive as little as 15 minutes before the aircraft is due to depart, and in some cases you can even be driven directly to the aircraft for boarding.
Private jets can accommodate anywhere from 4 to 18 passengers, depending on the size and type of aircraft.
Private jet charter companies typically offer a range of aircraft options, including Turbo prop, Light, Midsize, Super Mid-sized, Heavy as well as Long-Range. Within these classes are many different brands/companies.
Many private jet charter companies allow customers to request specific aircraft for their charter, as long as it is available and meets the requirements of the trip.
Yes, you can book a one-way private jet charter. One-way charters are often available and can be a good option if you don’t need to return to your starting point. Keep in mind that one-way flights can sometimes be more expensive than a round-trip flight because the aircraft must return to its home base or find another client for the return trip.
Cancellation policies can vary among private jet charter companies, but typically they will have a cancellation policy that includes a non-refundable deposit. The amount of the deposit will vary, but it is typically a percentage of the total charter cost. If you cancel the charter within a certain timeframe (often 48 to 72 hours prior to departure), you may be required to pay a cancellation fee, which could be a percentage of the total charter cost or the full charter cost.
Yes, travel insurance is available for private jet charters, and it can cover a range of potential issues, including trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, and baggage loss or delay. It’s important to carefully review the policy to ensure it meets your needs and to understand any exclusions or limitations.
It may be possible to change your flight itinerary after booking a private jet charter, but it will depend on the specific policies of the charter company and the availability of the aircraft. If you need to make changes to your itinerary, it’s best to contact the charter company as soon as possible to discuss your options.
There may be additional fees associated with booking a private jet charter, depending on the specific company and the details of your trip. Some potential fees to be aware of include landing fees, de-icing, hangaring, fuel surcharges, crew expenses, and overnight fees. It’s important to ask the charter company about any additional fees so that you have a clear understanding of the total cost of your charter.
The refund policy for a cancelled private jet charter will depend on the specific policies of the charter company and the circumstances surrounding the cancellation. In some cases, the company may offer a refund, while in other cases, they may offer a credit for a future charter. It’s important to carefully review the company’s policies and to ask about their refund policy before booking a charter.
There may be restrictions on where you can fly on a private jet charter, particularly if you are traveling internationally. Some countries may require special permits or have other restrictions in place that could affect your travel plans. It’s important to work with a reputable charter company that has experience arranging international travel and can help you navigate any restrictions.
